There was a time when camping with children meant damp sleeping bags, unreliable weather forecasts and an unspoken endurance test for parents. Ireland’s glamping boom has quietly, stylishly dismantled that idea. Across the island, a new wave of beautifully considered stays allows families to immerse themselves in nature without sacrificing warmth, comfort or good design. This is the outdoors reimagined, curated, calm and wonderfully freeing.
In Northern Ireland’s unspoilt heartland, Sperrinview Glamping offers a front-row seat to one of the island’s most dramatic landscapes. Set beneath the rolling Sperrin Mountains, these thoughtfully designed pods combine clean lines with cosy interiors and expansive windows that frame the sky like a living artwork. Prices typically begin at around £125–£140 per night for a family pod, making it one of the more accessible luxury options. Days are spent roaming forest trails, discovering ancient stone circles nearby, or simply slowing down. As night falls, the region’s dark-sky status transforms the experience entirely, with children captivated by constellations glittering just beyond the glass.
Further west, tucked into woodland beside Lough Erne, Finn Lough presents a more polished vision of nature immersion. Known for its ethereal bubble domes, the resort also offers forest lodges and lake villas suitable for families, blending modern luxury with a deep sense of place. Family-friendly accommodation here typically starts from around £350–£450 per night, depending on season and lodge type, with curated experiences often bundled into longer stays. Days unfold gently: kayaking across glassy water, cycling through trees, or exploring the lakeshore. Finn Lough is less about ticking off activities and more about tuning into a slower rhythm, one that suits families eager to reconnect.
In County Meath’s historic Boyne Valley, Rock Farm Slane delivers glamping with soul and substance. Set on a working organic farm within the Slane Castle estate, this is a place where children learn as they roam. Accommodation ranges from yurts to shepherd’s huts, with family-friendly options generally priced between €120 and €180 per night, depending on size and season. Mornings begin with birdsong and mist rising from the River Boyne, while afternoons invite canoeing, farm walks or explorations of nearby prehistoric sites. There’s a strong sense of purpose here, sustainability, heritage and play woven seamlessly into the stay.
On Ireland’s wild Atlantic edge, Westport Estate Glamping Village offers a joyful, high-energy counterpoint to more secluded retreats. Located on the grounds of Westport House in County Mayo, this lively glamping village is designed squarely with families in mind. Safari tents and cosy lodges sleep four comfortably, with prices generally starting at around €150–€220 per night during peak season. What sets Westport apart is its sheer variety of on-site activities: adventure parks, cycling trails, woodland walks and direct access to the charming town of Westport itself. It’s a place where days are full and evenings are sociable, with children happily exhausted and parents contentedly relaxed.
What unites these four destinations is not simply their beauty, but their understanding of what families truly need on holiday: space to breathe, experiences that feel meaningful, and comfort that doesn’t intrude on the magic of being outdoors. From stargazing in the Sperrins to lakeside serenity in Fermanagh, organic farm life in Meath and Atlantic-facing adventure in Mayo, Ireland’s glamping scene offers families a way to travel well, and together.
In a country where landscapes feel almost mythical, glamping allows families to step into the story without roughing the edges. It’s camping, elevated, and Ireland does it exceptionally well.
